Taping machine



Aug. 18, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAL TAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. so. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 18, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAL 2,649,221

TAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50. 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 MMM Aug. 18, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAL 2,649,221

TAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jeff/v 77/MPAK Aug 18, 1953 A. A. wAGNEQ ETAL 2,649,221

` TAPING MACHINE Aug. 18, 1953 Filed Aug. 50, 1951 A. A. WAGNER ETAL 2,649,221

TAPING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 205 Z /'a 8v 207 2/0 o ff C A. A. WAGNER ETAL TAPING MACHINE Aug'. 1s, 1953 Filed Aug. 50. 1951 Aug-v..18, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAr. 2,649,221

TAPING MACHINE Patented Aug. 18, 1953 YUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPING MACHINE Adolph A. Wagner, Arnold J. Werner, and John Tumpak, Milwaukee, Wis.; said Tumpak assignor to said Wagner and said Werner Application August 30, 1951, Serial No. 244,444

5 Claims. (Cl. 21B-22) This invention relates to improvements in taping machines, and more particularly to machines for applying tape to the tops and bottomsy or either, or" cartons.

There are certain advantages to the tape sealing ofV conventional ber board cartons as compared withv sealing such cartons by means of gluing the flaps thereof together. Among these advantages is the fact that tape sealed cartons can not be pilfered byv exterior opening without ready detection. The use of tape alone for sealing both the top and bottom flaps of ber board cartons is, however, ordinarily limited to cartons having relatively light weight contents.

In the bottling industries, and specifically in the brewing industry, it has 'been found advantageous to tape seal the bottom iiaps of bottlecarrying cartons in addition to gluing said flaps. Where the carton bottom ilaps are tape sealed, the cardboard pad which is normally used in the bottom of each bottle carton can be eliminated, thereby substantially reducing the cost of the package. In addition to this economy feature, tape sealing of the bottom aps of bottle cartons effectively maintains the carton in sealed condition, even if the 1bottom of the carton becomes moistened from liquid from a broken bottle or the like, because the tape adhering to the end walls of the carton keeps the carton bottom sealed, even though the glue on the bottom flaps is no longer `effective because of its moistened condition.

With the above in mind, it is a general object of vthe present invention to provide an improved taping machine having means for tape sealing the bottoms of cartons as well as the tops thereof.

A` further object of the invention is to provide an improved taping machine which is readily adjustable to accommodate boxes of any selected dimensions, there being adjustments for variations in height, width and length of the cartons AL to be tape sealed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a taping machine of the class described wherein the cartons to be taped are advanced intermittentl'y therethrough in equally spaced, alined re- L;

lationship, Vsaid machine having means for applying a continuous extent o f tape to the tops and a like extent to the bottoms of said cartons duringradvancing movement of said cartons, said machine 'having means operative when the cartons are at rest for severing the top and the bottom tapes between a pair of adjacent cartons and for applying the severed tape ends to the adjacent carton end walls.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved taping machine oi the class described wherein the cartons are advanced through the machine and are maintained in uniformly spaced relation by a longitudinally reciprocating carton advancing unit provided with ratchet type carton engaging pawls.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved taping machine of the class described wherein the tape applied to the cartons is intermittently drawn from a pair of supply rolls during advancing movement of the cartons, said machine having brake mechanism associated with said supply rolls for stopping rotation of said rolls whenever the lengths of tape extending from the supply rolls to the tape applying mechanisms become slack, thereby preventing overrunning of the tape while the cartons are at rest.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved carton taping machine wherein the reciprocating carton advancing unit is driven by a rotating crank arm and connecting rod mechanism, the eiective length of the crank arm being adjustable to vary the length of travel of the reciprocating carton advancing unit; and the pawls of said unit being adjustably spaced, whereby the carton advancing unit can be readily adapted for use in advancing cartons of any selected length.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved taping machine of the class described having a carton receiving station adapted to accommodate a single carton in a position for engagement by the carton advancing unit, there being novel indexing mechanism operable in timed relationship with the carton advancing unit for preventing advancing movement of a carton from said station except when said carton is advancingly engaged by the carton advancing unit; advancing movement of a carton from said station permitting entry of a succeeding carton into said station.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved carton taping machine having upper and lower cutter head assemblies supported on upper and lower slides respectively, said slides having a predetermined xed range of travel, the upper cutter head assembly being mounted on its supporting slides in a manner to permit ready vertical adjustment of said cutter head relative to its slides, to thereby adapt said head assembly for use in taping cartons of a selected height.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved taping machine of the class described having carton nap closers and carton nap hold-down rollers carried by vertically adjustable frames, there being crank operated mechanism for simultaneously adjusting -the vertical position of saidv frames to adapt said rollers `and flap closers for use on cartons of a selected height.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved taping machine of the class described having a carton end flap closing mechanism including an oscillating swingable arm which is adjustably positionable a's to height to thereby adapt said mechanism for use-oncartons of a selected height.

A further object of the invention lis -to 'vprovide an improved taping machine of the class described wherein the end flap closing mechanism and the carton indexing mechanism are longitudinally adj ustably -n'fiountedto adapt said mechanisms 'for use on cartons Y'of a selected length; said mechanisms each having a Vslidable splined driving connection with a common longitudinally extending Ydrive shaft.

A 'further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved taping "machine of the class described 'wherein 'the cartons to be taped travel throiigh the machine on longitudinally extending spaced horizontal plates 'and between a pair of longitudinally extending side rails which engage 'the Ysides of 'said cartons, 'said side rails being laterally adjustably 'mounted in order to Vaccommodate vcartons "of a selected width.

'With the vabove and other objects in View, the

invention consists of 'the improved taping machine and all of its `parts and combinations as set forth'inthe claimsand all equivalents thereof.

In'the drawings accompanying and 'forming a part of this specication, wherein is shown one complete embodiment of the 4preferred form vof the invention, and wherein like characters of reference indicatethe sameparts inall' of the views:

VFig. l is afragmentaryside elevational view of theimproved'taping machine taken approxi- 'mately along'the line I-I .of Fig. 2, parts being broken awa'y and theside frame cover being removed, saidfigurealso Showing cartons positioned in theV machine;

Fig/'2 -is a, `fragmentary plan view of the improved-taping machine on aslightly smaller scale, parts being broken away, and the cartons of Fig. V1 being 'indicated by dot and dash lines only:

Fig. 3

along -zthelinef-Ji -of Fig. 2, the path of the Vcartons-in the machine inwardlylof the indexing mechanismbeingshown in dotl and dash lines;

Fig. Ll is--an`enlarged-fragmentary vertical sectional view talren approximately along 4the'line Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is arfragmentary plan view of themecha- -nismfor simultaneously raising and lowering the frames'for' supporting the carton side fiap-closers .and the rcartonflap hold-down rollers;

Fig. 71is Aan'enlar-ged fragmentary vertical secis an end elevational view of the irn- 'proved taping machine taken approximately A.. tional view taken approximately along the line 'iof Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view taken from the side of the improved taping machine opposite that from which Fig. l is taken and showing the arrangement of the various parts of the machine in relation to cartons in said machine, after the tapes extending between a pair of adjacent cartons have been severed and the severed ends applied to the adjacent end walls of said cartons;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig.. .8 Aandshowing thecutterheads lin retracted position .as the cartons are being advanced by the reciprocating carton advancing unit;

Fig. l0 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9, showing "the cartons at rest in advanced position and showing the cutter heads moving toward the 'tapes and severing 'the same between a pair of adjacent cartons.;

Fig. l1 is a viewgsimilar to Fig. 10 showing the lcutter-hea'dsin 1projected position between a, pair of l adjacent cartons after having applied the severed ends of the tapes to the carton end walls, this figure also showing the carton advancing unit moving in a retractile direction toward'the positions shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. '12 :is Van'enlarged fragmentary lside elevational view of the adjustable Acrank farm, .taken approximately along the line 62-12 of'Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a transverse Vertical sectional view taken approximately along the `line A|'3--4I3 of Fig. 12; y

Fig. 14 is an 'enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through one of the tape supply roll brake units;

Fig. 15 is a side elevationalv'iew taken approximately along'the'line |5`|5`of Fig. ll with a portion of 'the cover and some of rthe internal parts broken away; and

Fig. 16 is Va vertical sectional viewitaken approximately along vthe line 'I6-f6 o'f Fig. .15.

Referring moreparticularly `to Figs. l, Zand 3 of the drawings, the numerals .IB and |15 indicate-a pair of spaced, AparalleLelongated hollow side frame members which Aare preferably rectangular in -shape 4and which are .rigidly Aconnected together at their opposite-endsby `transverse end frames -ll and i8. `Fixed to the 'inner surfaces of the -side frames I5 .and :I6 interme- .diateth'e'ends thereof are-a pair'of upstanding elongated frame lmembers |9 and 2.0 'which :are connected ntogether at their 'upper vends by `a cross'member 2 l.

Journalled in suitable'bearings `carried bythe lower end portions of the upright frame'mernbers =i9land 2o is a main Ltransverse ldrive shaft 22, "the ends of which terminate within 'the hollow side frame -members l5 and fl-6. Within the side frame i6 a sprocket'iiis -keyedto'theshaft 22, and keyedon the same shaft adjacentthe sprocket 23 is a crank arm 24. A crank=arm25 is keyed Ato the opposite end of--shaft22 'within the side frame member l5.

A pairof transverse'motor'supporting brackets 26 and 2 are connected at their opposite'ends tothe sideframe members l5 and "f6, andadjustably positioned on the members '26 and 21 .is an .electric motor 28. The motor28 .is1preferably of the variable speed' type and' may have'incorporated therein a'gear reduction unit. The shaft of the 'motor'28 extends intoithelsdeframe vmember I6 and hasrkeyed thereto.a.sprocket"29.

429 and 23 for transmitting power from the motor 28 to the main drive shaft 22.

A pair of elongated, spaced, parallel, carton vsupporting plates 5i land 32 extend in a horizontal plane longitudinally of the machine, said plates being supported on the end frames l1 and I8: and being supported intermediate said end frames in a manner to be described hereinafter. An elongated bar 33 is positioned below the plate 3l and is mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement parallel with the plate 3 l said bar being supported in a pair of bearing brackets 34 and 35, which brackets also support intermediate portions of the plate 3 l Fixed to one side of the bar 33 is a rack 36 having teeth on its under side, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The bar 33 is formed with a T-slot 31 which extends substantially the full length thereof and which opens through the side wall of the bar opposite the rack 36. Preferably, four spring loaded ratchet type pawl units 33, 39, and 4! are mounted on the bar 33 in equally spaced relationship. Each of these units is connected to the bar 33 by means of suitable bolts having their heads positioned in the T-slot 31, so that the spacing between said units can be readily ,adjusted by loosening the nuts on said bolts.

The pawl units are preferably identical, and, as shown in Fig. 1 with respect to the unit 38, said units each include a pivotally mounted pawl or dog 42 which is urged upwardly against a suitn able stop (not shown) by means of -a coiled spring 43 acting through a cup shaped plunger 44. The normal position of the pawls 42 is as shown in Fig. l wherein the free end portions of said pawls project above the plane of the plate 32.

Extending transversely between the side frames l5 and l5 is a supporting beam 45 on which is mounted an upstanding bracket 46 which in turn carries a bearing 41 at its upper end. A gear i3 meshes with the rack 36 and is keyed to one end of a transverse shaft which extends outwardly into the side frame member i5 through la suitable bearing 50 carried by the latter frame. Fixed to the outer end of shaft 43 is yapinion 5I. Fixed to the outer surface of the inner side wall of the frame l5 is a horizontal rail 52 which extends longitudinally of said frame. A slide 53, which is preferably C-shaped in cross section, is longitudinally slidable on the rail 52 and is formed on its upper surface with a rack 54 which meshes with the pinion 5l. Pivotally connected to the slide 54 is one end of a pitman arm 55 (see Figs. 2 and 3), the other end of said arm being pivotally connected to the crank `arm 25.

Referring to Figures l2 and 13, the crank arm 25 has an elongated body portion 56 formed at one end with a bored boss 51 which extends substantially normal to the body 56. The body 56 is formed with a longitudinally extending T-slot 58 which opens through the outer side wall of said body, as well as through the end wall opposite the boss 51. The boss 51 is split, as shown, and is adapted to receive the shaft 22 in keyed relationship, there being a bolt 59 equipped with a nut 5@ for securing the boss 51 on the shaft 22. A slide block 5l is T-shaped in cross section and is longitudinally slidable in the T-slot 58 of the body 55. The block 5I is formed with an outwardly extending pivot pin 62 which projects through the open sideV of the `slot 58 and is pivotally connected to the pitman yarm 55. Y l The block 5l is bored to threadedly receive an 6 elongated adjustment bolt 63 which extends longitudinally within the slot 58 and has one end formed with a portion of reduced diameter 64 which is rotatably positioned in a suitable recess 65 formed in the inner end wall of the slot 58. The opposite end of the screw 63 may be squared, as at 55, for cooperation with a Wrench, and inwardly of the portion 65, the screw 53 is formed with a portion of reduced diameter 61. A rectangular plate 68 is formed with a transverse slot 53 extending inwardly from one edge, said slot being of a size to accommodate the portion 51 of the screw 53. The slot 69 has a width smaller than the diameter of the major portion of the screw e3 and also smaller than the squared portion 66 of said screw so that axial movement of the screw relative to the plate is prevented. The plate 68 is fixed with the outer end of the body 55 as by screws 18.

It is apparent that by rotating the screw 63 by .means of a wrench engaged with the portion 65, the block 5I and its pin 52 can be moved radially along the slot 58 and Vscrew 53 to vary the distance between the axis of the pin 62 and the axis of the shaft 22. By means of this adjustment the effective length of the crank arm 25 is readily adjustable. This adjustment, in turn, varies the length of the stroke of the slide 53 as well as of the bar 33.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is a bevel gear 1l nxed to the main drive shaft 22 intermediate its length, and meshing with the gear 1| is a bevel gear 12 which is fixed to one end of a splined shaft 13 which extends longitudinally beneath the carton supporting plate 32. Fixed to the inner surface of the inner side wall of the side frame i5 is a longitudinally extending horizontal rail 14 on which are longitudinally adjustably mounted a carton end flap closing unit 15 and an indexing unit 15, each of which has a splined longitudinally slidable driving connection with the shaft 13.

The carton end flap closing unit 15 includes a lower housing 11 on which is supported an upstanding column 18. Vertically adjustably mounted on the column 18 is an upper casing 19 which projects transversely inwardly over the carton supporting plate 32. Axially reciprocatably mounted at its opposite ends in suitable bearings carried by frames 11 and 19 is a vertical rack 85. A transverse horizontal shaft 8l is rotatably mounted in the upper casing 19 and has a pinion 82 xed to one end thereof and positioned in mesh with the rack 85. The opposite end of the shaft 8| projects from the inner end of the casing l19 and has xed thereto a head 83 to which a carton end flap closing arm 84 is adjustably fixed. The arm 84 is preferably J-shaped, and the elongated extent thereof is preferably formed with a slot 85 through which connecting bolts extend. The slot 85 permits adjustment of the eective radius of the arm 84.

The upper casing 19 has embodied therein suitable clamping means (not shown) for frictionally engaging the column 18. The clamping means is connected to an operating arm 85. Rotation of the arm 2s releases the clamping means 'and permits adjustment of the vertical position of the upper casing 19. It is apparent that adjustment of the vertical position of the uppercasing 19, as well as adjustment of the effective length of the arm B4, renders the carton end flap closer unit 15 readily adaptable for use in closing cartons of :any selected height.

`Rotatably mounted within the lower casing 11 is a. gear 81 having a longitudinally slidable 7 'spl-ined fconnection with :the shaft 113. idler gear 188 meshes with the gear 81 and isalso rotat- `ably :mounted Within the flower casing Ti?! A .gear 89 meshes :with the idler gear :88 .and :is :fixed to one end of a -shortlongitudinall-y lextending shaft B `which is rotatably mounted lvvithinzthe Vcasing 71 and has its Iopposite end projecting from the casing 17|. Acrank arm -9| iszxed tothe projecting end ofthe shaft-9%. 'The crank 'arm 9| .carries a -roller 9-2 and said .roller :is positionediin ya :transversely extending -channel lmember iii-3 `which, in turn, .is fixed to 'the "lower end portion fof lthe rack80. *It `is apparent.thatrotationcffthe longitudinal shaft i3, through :gears 38?, 88 .and 89,

vcauseslrotationof the shaft 19|) and of `crank 'arm l 9|, which, 'in turn, `causes nvertica'l :reciprocation `of the rackiilt `and oscillatory Vswinging movement -of the lflap closing arm :84.

The indexing mechanism 21.6 .includes a .casing 84 which iis positioned below :the plate 32 and Which vis longitudinally adjustably xed `to kthe `rail 111, as shown. 'The `upper surface of the casing "911 is formed with ya pair .of spaced .parallel transverselyiextending "fr-slots l`9% and y(Figs. l

andZ). 'Transverselyadjustably:mountedlon .top

of the casing 94, asbylbolts fill -having Vtheirheads .positioned iin the 'T-slot 1&5, .is Yan .upright Ybracket :98 for supporting a longitudinally extending channel member 99, the latter being formed with a longitudinal yslot li. VLongitudinally adjustably positioned in the Vchannel @s vis .a :guide Ibar l-l, which may `also :takeuthe :form-of `a channel :and Which is provided `:with .connecting bolts vrc2 extendrug: through .the slot ltd. Similarly :mounted on vthe upper surface of the casing vki/ :and :having nonnecting 4bolts `|203 Vwith their `heads :positioned inthe slot Edt, .isan .upright bracket G13 A`having La f ace lill extending :in .a transverse -v ertircalfplane. 'The'.brac'ket Idil@ is -norm'allypositioned so fthatthe inneredgeof :the surface M5 is :offset transversely :inwardly .from the inner surface .of fthe lguide rail fdl, 'thereby providing a shoulder 411.6.

'The lull-Dereui'fface of the casing iSli is Aformed avitjh .a transverse :rectangular xrecess |501 (see Fig. el) in which :a slide :member HB8 vis vtransversely Yslidably positioned. lThe :upper surface fof the zslide |68 is formed withia T--slot lvilfand ltransiversely adjustably positioned on the-slide #'98 is a :bracket .litt havinganattaching'bolt lllfwith its head positioned :inthe fF-slot |09. Yrlhe bracket -i|l is provided with a lface H12 which extends -in :a longitudinal yvertical plane, Ei. e., normal `to `the faceilfofthebra'cketJI/.

Referring -to -Fig. 5, the 4underside of the -slide L is 'formed `with adownvvardly projecting boss ll`M3, at the lower end of which a roller Hifi -is =carriedby ascrew lilla-Which screw extendsverti- -cally throughthe Aboss -`ll i3 and is 4threaded -into the vslide 1| E38. The 1in-ner Wall of the casinglis formed `with an outwardly extending tubularboss iH18 -Which Ais positioned 'in transverse lalignment `with the boss H3. A'plug v'Hl-isthreadedtintothe innerend-of vtlieboss-i-lt, and a-helical compres- Lsionsp-ringil-has one end positioned inthe'boss fflfit in abutment-:With theplug 'H'l and v'has its loppositeendinabutrnent -with 4the 4boss H33. A l trans-verselyextendingrod |-|9 has one end 'fixed to the boss Hd, saidrod eXtendingcoa-Xiallywith- 'inithe spring field-With its opposite end preferably :extending into the outerend 0f-the1boss1 I and :spaced a `-predeterrni-ned distance from the ,plug

Albevele'd gear d20-'is vrotatably mounted `within Athe' :a.sing i914 :and has an axially slidableV splined connection `with the 'longitudinal shaft `13. .A transverse shaft I2| is Arotatably mounted yinthe casing 9d and has a -bevel gear l|221iixed to `one end thereof and -in mesh -w-ith the igear 12.0, `as shown '2i-n lFig. 3. Keyed 4'to -the shaft :|2'| is -a circularfcamf|231having a car-n surface |2f4against which the rol-ler |-4 is urged by the spring H8. Thecam surface 12d issubstantially flat through, out its extent except for a high'spot |25.

When the cam |23 is in the position shown i-n Fi-g, 3, the `slide vvi-ll ,and the Ibracket .|10 are lin a -retractedposition wherein the surface |.|2 of vthe 'bracket l 1| B -is iin substantially the vsaine vertical longitudinal plane as the @inner surface of -the `guide rail lili. When however, the -cam |23 is rotated `to ymove the high spot :|25 against `the roller iii, the slide m8 yand bracket II-:l are moved laterally inwardly, against rthe force-of 'the spring 1MB, toa position wherein A-the surface 1| I2 of itheh-raeket il iii is Yiushwith 5the inner-edgeiof the surface W5 of the vbracket lila. It is .apparent that :the spring H8 returns the slide |08 and the'lbraclret Li i@ Vtc the normal retracted `Position shown as the `high spot fl 25 is Vmoved out-of contactwiththeroller llt. Itiol'lows that continuous rotation ofthe shaftltcauses continuous rotatie-ner thecam ii 23 which, in-turncauses -intermittent transverse reciprocating movement of :the slide lie yand bracket H5 in the `mannerdescribed.

Referring to Fig. 2, an elongated horizontal 'longitudinally extending guide bar |26 has its Ainne-11 side -Wall surface ush -with the inner edge ofthe surface of the bracket i134, and end of lsaid bar is `preferably Axed to the bracket it. Adjacenttheoppositeend of the =bar |26 -is-a bar or rod i2? -which has an intermediate portion spaced from-and parallel withthe outerfsurface of the -i the fbar |27 having -inturned-end portions vrhiclfrareboltedto the outer surface of the guide bar IE. Afbar |2ti,-whichis preferably substantially identical with the bar I2^'|, is bolted 'tothe outer surface of -an intermediate 'portionof the guidebar 12,6, as shown.

Aftransversely extending tubular lsocket |2 is bolted -to the inner 'side' wall surface of the frame .member it, and vaxially slidabl-y positionedwithin the socket lglis a plunger EBS having its'outer Vend formed with a ltransverse bore. 'The transverse bore of the plunger 13B slidably receives the rod 1.2.7 as shown, there 'being a set screw l[3| Yfor 'locking therod 122'? in a selected position in said transverse bore. -fh'egsocket iQS-i-s'provided with suitable clamping means, controlled by a handle |32, for'lccking-the plunger i3d in a `selectedaxial position in said socket. A socket |33, which is preferably identical With the socket |29, is bolted totheinnersurface of the sideframe l adjacent the rod 1.23 as shown. The socket |33 is provided with aplunger (not shown) which- -is-preferably identical'with'the plunger |39 and Awhich is associated with-the rodi 28 irl-the same manner lthat the lplunger ll is associated with the rod |21.

It 'is apparent that by loosening the set-screw IBI ,inthe Aplunger ,135, as 'Well-as thesimilar set screw in theplunger ofthesocket |33, the guide bar l2@ can be moved longitudinally of thermachine'astheindeXi-ng unit-'i6 is so'moved,jthe rods 27 and `l 2.8'being slidable-,in the transverse bores of the jplungers in Vthe sockets |29 Yand |33. VIt is also apparent that-by releasing the `clamping engagementpf the sockets |29 and |33 on the plungers therein, the guide bar `|,2 6 canlbe moved vtransversely inwardly lWhenever it is desired to move the bracket |04 transversely inwardly, such movement of the bracket |04 being permitted by a loosening of the bolts |03.

A horizontal guide bar |34, which may take the form of a channel shaped member, extends longitudinally of the machine spaced from and parallel with the guide bar |26. A pair of tubular sockets |35 and |35 are mounted on the inner wall surface of the side frame |5 and may be identical with the sockets |29 and |33. Mounted in the sockets |35 and |36 for sii-dable coaxial movement are plungers |31 and |38. At their inner ends the plungers |31 and |33 are connected to the guide bar |34, as by pins |39. It is apparent that the transverse position of the guide bar |34 can be readily varied by releasing the clamping engagement of the sockets |35 and |35 on the plungers |31 and |38 to permit axial movement of said plungers to the selected position.

Mounted on the guide bar |34 opposite the slide |08 of the indexing unit 16 is a frame |44 which is longitudinally adjustably mounted onthe guide bar |34. A bell-crank lever |40 is mounted within the frame |44 for pivotal movement on a vertical axis. A. spring |4| urges the bell-crank lever |40 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, so that one arm of said crank is urged inwardly of the guide bar |34 toward the position shown. The frame |44 may have a clamping engagement with the guide bar |34, which engagement may be controlled by wing nuts |45 to permit longitudinal adjustment of the position of the frame |44.

A pair of horizontal plates |42 and |43 are positioned respectively on the plates 3| and 32 and terminate a predetermined distance longitudinally outwardly from the shoulder |06. The plates |42 and |43 may be connected to suitable feed conveying means (not shown) 'which delivers onto said plates a continuous series of cartons to be taped. The spacing between the shoulder |06 and the ends of the plates |42 and |43 is adjusted so that one carton can be accommodated on the plates 3| and 32 between the shoulder |06 and the ends of the plates |42 and |43, as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, as well as in solid lines in Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the upright frame member 20 is formed on its inner surface with a vertically extending groove |46 in which is mounted an upper slide member |41 and a lower slide member |48. The slide members |41 and |48 may be held inv position in the groove |46 by retaining bars |49 and |50 which overlap said slide members. The lower end of the slide member |41 has connected thereto a longitudinally extending horizontal bar 55| to which is xed one end of a rack |52 which extends vertically downwardly parallel with the slide members |41 and |48 within a suitable groove formed in the inner surface of the upright member |20. The edge of the lower slide member |43 facing the rack |52 is formed with gear teeth as at |53. A pinion |54 is rotatably mounted in a lower portion of the upright member 25 and meshes with the racks |52 and |53.

`The opposite upright frame member E9 is formed similarly to the upright member 24 and has mounted therein upper and lower slide members, a rack and a rotatable pinion substantially identical and in transverse alignment with the corresponding members in the frame 20 just described. The pinion |54 is keyed to one end of a transverse shaft |55, and a corresponding pinion in the upright member 20 is keyedto the opposite end of the shaft |55. Fixed, as by welding, to the lower slide member |45 and its corresponding slide member in the upright frame member 20 is a transverse channel member |56, shown most clearly in Fig. 1. A similar channel member |51 is connected to and extends between the upper slide member |41 and the corresponding upper slide member in the upright frame I9. The mounting of the channel |51 on the upper slides will be described hereinafter.

The upright frame 24 is formed with an elongated vertical slot |58 extending therethrough in axial alignment with the groove |46 and opening thereinto. The upper slide member |41 is formed with a pin which extends transversely outwardly through 'the slot |50. A` pitman arm |60 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the pin |55, and. is pivotally connected at its lower end to a pin |6| which is carried by the crank arm 24. It is apparent that clockwise rotation of the shaft 22, as viewed in Fig. 1, causes the pitman arm |50 to move the upper slide |41 upwardly, pulling with it the rack |52. Upward movement of the rack |52 causes simultaneous clockwise rotation of the pinion |54 and shaft |55, which, in turn, causes downward movement of the lower slide member |45. Since the shaft |55 causes similar rotation of pinion |54 and its corresponding pinion in the upright frame i5, the upper and lower slides in the member |5 are given a movement identical to and simultaneous with the movement of the slides |41 and |48.

It is apparent, therefore, that the transverse channel members |56 and |51 remain parallel at all times because of the identical movement of the slide members to which their ends are connected. It is also apparent that as the crank arm 24 rotates in excess of 90 degrees from its position in Fig. 1, the pitman arm |69 begins moving the slide member |41 downwardly, and this movement, in turn, causes simultaneous upward movement of the lower slide member |48. Movement resulting from 359 rotating of the crank arm 24 will be described later.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 the upper slide member |41 is formed with a vertical T-slot |62 which opens centrally of the inner surface of said slide member. A generally rectangular block |63 is formed with an offset portion |64, and one end of the transverse channel member |51 is fixed, as by welding, to the block |63 and the portion |64 thereof. The block |63 is held in a selected vertical position by means of bolts |65 (see Fig. 5) having their heads positioned in the T-slot |62, said bolts being provided with cooperable handle equipped nuts |66. The bolts |65 and nuts |66, when tightened, clamp the block |63 to the slide member |41. A vertically extending rack |61 is fixed to the inner surface of the slide |41 adjacent the inner edge of the retaining bar |49. The block |63 is formed with a longitudinally extending recess |66 (see Fig. 4) for accommodating the rack |61 to permit relative vertical movement of the block |63 and slide member |41. The upper slide member in the frame |9, corresponding to the slide |41 is provided with a block |69 (see Fig. 3) similar to the block |63. The opposite end of the channel member |51 is xed, as by welding, to the block |69. The block |69 is held in a selected vertical position by means of suitable locking bolts having cooperable handle equipped nuts |10.

The blocks |53 and |59 are formed with bearing bosses |1| and |12 in which are journaled the ends of a transversely extending shaft |13.

outwardly of the bosses |1I and |12 the blocks |99 and |53 are each recessed, as at |15 (see Fig. 5), to receive one of a pair of pinions |14 which are keyed to the ends of the shaft |13. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the pinion |14 within the block |93 meshes with the rack |81. The pinion on the opposite end of the shaft |13 meshes with the rack xed to the slide in the frame I9 corresponding to the slide |41. A worm wheel |18 (see Fig. 3) is keyed to an intermediate portion of the shaft |13, and a worm gear |11 is rotatably mounted in the channel member |51 in mesh with the worm wheel |16. The worm gear |11 is provided with a suitable handle |18.

It is apparent that by loosening the nuts Hit` and |19 on the blocks |63 and |69 and rotating the handle |18, rotation will be imparted to the transverse shaft |13, which, in turn, rotates the pinions |19 and causes said pinions to move vertically along the rack |51 and the corresponding oppositely disposed rack. The vertical. movement of the pinions |12, of course, imparts identical movement to the blocks |53 and |89 as Well as to the transverse channel member |51.

Fixed to the underside of the transverse channel I 51 in substantially transversely centered position is an upper cutter head |19. rThe cutter head |19 includes a frame |89 (see Fig. l) on opposite sides of which are pivotally mounted a pair of generally Y-shaped levers I8'I and |82. Cylindrical rollers |83 and |811, which are preferably made of rubber or other suitable resilient material, are carried at the bifurcated lower end of said levers. The levers |9I and |82 are mounted for swingable movement on transverse horizontal axes and are urged outwardly away from each other by spring urged plungers |85 and |86 mounted in the frame |89. A pair of stop screws |31 and |88 carried by the levers |8| and |82 limit the outward swinging movement of the rollers |83 and |89. The frame |89 is formed with a downwardly projecting arm |89 in the lower end of which is removably xed a transverse cutting blade |99. The blade |90 preferably has a serrated lower cutting edge which is slightly inclined from the horizontal.

Referring to Fig. l, the lower transverse. channel |58 is preferably provided with a depending bearing boss |9I which is in substantial vertical alignment with the upper cutter head |19. Coaxial with the boss |9| and xed to the channel |58 is a clamping ring |92 which is prefer-- ably provided with a clamping bolt |93. The channel |55 is formed with an aperture coaxial with the bores of the boss |9| and ring |92, and positioned` coaxially within the ring |92 and boss |9| is a vertical shaft |94. A lower cutter head |95, which is preferably identical with the upper cutter head |19, is xed to the upper end of the shaft I 94 in an inverted position. with respect to the cutter head |19. Thev vertical position of the cutter head |95 relative to the channel |53 can be adjusted by loosening the collar nut |93 and sliding the shaft |94 vertically to the selected position, after which the bolt |93 may again be tightened.

The upright frame members I9 and 20 are formed in their transversely extending edge walls with vertical T-slots |95 (see Fig. 3). Mountedv on corresponding edge walls of the upright frame members I9 and 28 are transverse frame members |91 and |98. The transverse frame member |98 is locked in a selected vertical position against the upright frame members i9 and 28 by means of suitable locking bolts (not shown) having their heads positioned in the T-slots |96. said bolts being provided with handle equipped nuts |99.l As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, a pair of spaced parallel arms 289 project longitudinally from the frame |98v and support a transverse bar 2.8i on which there are adjustably mounted a pair of divergent carton side flap closing members 282` and a carton end nap retaining runner 283.

Fixed to an intermediate portion of the transverse frame |98 are a pair of spaced longitudinally extending plates vforming a roller Supporting bracket 294. At one end of the bracket 284 a roller 295 is supported, while at its opposite end. a bell crank lever 286 is pivotally mounted. One arm of the bell crank lever 298 rotatably supports a resilient roller 291, and the other arm is connected to a tension spring 29S which urges the roller 29.1 downwardly. Intermediate its length the bracket 294 supports a bell crank lever 2.09- Which is similar to. the bell crank lever 298 and is also equipped with a resilient roller 2.||l.. A tension spring (not shown) is connected to the bell crank lever 299 similarly to the manner in which the spring 298 is connected to the lever 295,` and said spring urges the roller 2I|Jv downwardly. A pair of racks 2| are xed to the frame |98 and depend vertically trom each end thereof.

The transverse frame |91 is locked in a selected vertical position against the upright frames I9 and 29 by means of suitable locking screws having their heads positioned in the adjacent T- slots |98, said screws each having a cooperable handle equipped nut. 212r The frame |91 supports a bracket 2|3 which, in turn, pivotally supports a bell-crank lever 2|4. One arm of the lever 2M carries a resilient roller 215, and the other arm of said lever is connected to a suitable tension spring 2|6 which urges the roller 2|5 downwardly. A pair of racks 2I1 are xed to and depend vertically from the ends of the transverse frame |91.

Referring to Figs. 2, 6 and 7, a shaft 2If8 extends transversely below the plates 3| and 32 and has its opposite ends mounted in sui-table bearings 2|9 and 229 which, in turn, are mounted on the inner surface of the upright frames |9 and 20. Keyed to the shaft 2I8 within the bearing 2 I9: is a pinion 22| which meshes with the adjacent rack 2|1, and keyed to the opposite end of the shaft 2|8 within the bea-ring 228 is a pllOn 222 which meshes with the rackv 2|1 thereadjacent. A transverseshaft 223 extends below the plates 3| andv 32. parallel with the shaft ZIB and has its opposite ends rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 224 and 225, the latter being mounted on the inner wall surfaces of the side frames I5 and I5 respectively.y A pinion 228 is keyed to the shaft 223 within the bearing 221|,

and said pinion meshes with the adjacent rack 2| I. A pinion 221 is keyed to the shaft 22'3 within the bearing 225 and meshes with the rack. 2 I |Y thereadjacent.

The bearing 224 is formed. with a transversely projecting ear 228, and the bearing 2 9- is formed with a similar ear 229. The ears 228 and 229 are formed With coaxial longitudinally extending bores in which the end portions of a longitudinally extending shaft 239 are journaled. The shaft 239 has a worm 23| keyed thereto adjacent the shaft 223-, and adjacent the shaft 2 I8 a worm 232 is keyed to said shaft. As shown in Fig. 7, a worm, wheel 233 is keyed to the shaft 223 and meshes with the worm 23|. The shaft 2|8 has keyed thereto a worm wheel 254 which meshes with the Worm 232. One end of the shaft 230 projects beyond the bearing ear 228, and a crank 235 is fixed to said projecting shaft end. It is apparent that by loosening the handle equipped nuts 2|2 and |99 on frames |91 and |98, and by turning the crank 235, the mechanism shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7 causes simultaneous identical vertical movement of the transverse frames |91 and |98, along with the equipment which is attached thereto.

Referring to Fig. l, a pair of angle members 236 and 238 extend transversely between the side frames and I5 below the carton supporting plates 3| and 32 and adjacent the upright frames |9 and 29. Fixed to the angle member 233 is a generally L-shaped bracket 231 which projects upwardly from the angle 238 and has horizontal extent which carries at its free end a roller 239 which is preferably in longitudinal alinement with the lower cutter head |95. The bracket 238 also rotatably supports a roller 249. Along the horizontal extent of the bracket 238 a pair of bell crank' levers 24|' and 242 are mounted for pivotal movement on transverse axes. The levers 24| and 242 rotatably support resilient pressure rollers 243 and 244 which are also in longitudinal alinement with the roller 239. The levers 24| and 242 are urged in a clockwise direction about their pivotal mounting by suitable tension SpringS (not shown) to urge the rollers 233 and 234 upwardly.

Mounted on a suitable bracket adjacent the opposite side of the cutter head |95 and below the plane of the carton supporting plates 3| and 32 is a bell crank lever 245. One arm ofthe lever 245 carries a resilient pressure roller 246, and a suitable tension spring (not shown) urges the lever 245 in a clockwise direction about its pivot to thereby urge the roller 246 upwardly. The roller 246 is in longitudinal alinement with the cutter head |95 and with the rollers 259, 243 and 244.

Depending from the transverse angle member 236 is a bracket 241 which carries a roller 248 at its lower end. Positioned on the transverse channels 236 and 231 is a rectangular tray 249, and mounted in the tray 249 are a pair of moistening brushes 259 which project angularly upwardly as shown in Fig. 1. The tray 249 is adapted to contain water, and by capillary `ac tion, water in the tray 249 keeps the brushes 250 moist. A similar tray 25| is positioned on the transverse member 2i connecting the upper ends of the side frame members I9 and 29. A pair of moistening brushes 252 project angularly upwardly from the tray 25| and are normally kept in moistened condition by water from the traf7 25|.

Also mounted on the transverse member 2| iS an irregularly shaped bracket 253 which rotatably supports a roller 254 positioned over the tray 25|' and which similarly supports rollers 255 and 256 adjacent one end of the tray 25|. The bracket 253 also supports a roller 251 below the opposite end of the tray 25|, as well as a roller 258 below a central portion of said tray. All of the rollers supported by the bracket 253 rotate on transverse horizontal axes and said rollers are in vertical alinement with the rollers 295, 2|9, 291 and 2|5.

Also iixed to the transverse frame member 2| is an elongated supporting arm 259, at the free end of which is mounted a tape tensioning unit 269 which carries a supply roll of gummed tape 26|. The tape tensioning unit 269 pivotally supports an elongated swingable arm 262 which carries at its free end a weighted roller 263. Tape 264 from the roll 26| extends as shown in Fig. 1 over and around the roller 251, around and under the weighted roller 263, over the roller 258, around the roller 256, around the roller 254, over the roller 255 andunder the rollers 295, 2|0 and 291. As the tape 264 passes from the roller 256 to the roller 254 the gummed side of said tape is moistened by the brushes 252.

Mounted on the transverse beam 45 is a supporting arm 255 at the free end of which is mounted a tensioning unit 266 which, in turn, carries a supply roll of gummed tape 261. An elongated swingable arm 268 is pivotally carried by the tensioning unit 266, and the free end of said arm carries a weighted roller 259. Tape 219 from the supply roll 251 extends, as shown in Fig. l, over the roller 249, under and around the weighted roller 269, around and over the roller 249, around the roller 239, and over the rollers 243 and 244-. As the tape 219 passes from the roller 249 to the roller 239 the gummed side of said tape is moistened by the brushes 259. The tape tensioning units 259 and 266 are substantially identical.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 16 the tape tensioning units each include a generally rectangular housing 21| having a cover 212. Mounted for rotation in suitable bearings carried by the housing 21| and cover 212 is a spindle 213. The spindle 212 is formed with a portion of enlarged diameter 214 within the housing 21|, said portion being formed with an outwardly directed annular ilange 215 at one end. The portion 214 is preferably formed with three equally spaced axially extending peripheral keyways 216 in each of which is removably xed a key 211. Fixedly mounted within the casing 21| coaxial with the spindle 213 is an anchoring ring or collar 213 which preferably takes the form of an internally toothed ring gear. Four spaced annular plates 219 are positioned coaxially within the collar 218 and are formed with external teeth which mesh with the internal teeth of said collar, as shown in Fig. l5.

Interposed between and coaxial with the annular plates 219 are three identical annular plates 285, each having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the anchoring collar 218. The plates 289 have central bores 28| with diameters approximating the diameter of the portion 214 of the spindle 213, and said plates are also formed with keyways 282 for receiving the keys 211. t is apparent that the plates 239 can move axially oi the spindle 213 but cannot rotate relative thereto. An annular backing plate 283 has a central bore and keyways similar to those of the plates 239, and said backing plate is mounted on the portion 214 of the spindle in abutment with the annular flange 215 as shown in Fig. i4. A circular pressure plate 284 having an outer diameter not larger than the inner diameter of the collar 218 and having a central bore larger than the spindle 213 is positioned in abutment with the leftmost plate 219 as viewed in Fig. 14.

A generally Y-shaped lever 295 is pivotally mounted in the cover 212 for movement on an axis normal to the axis of the spindle 213. The lower end of the lever 295 carries a roller 286 and, as shown in Fig. 16, the upper arms of the lever 285 are formed with recesses 281 facing the plate 284. The plate 284 is formed with a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed recesses 298 which are inA alinernent with the recesses 261 of the lever 285, and. positioned in each pair of matching recesses 232 and 2&8 is a coiled compression spring 239. The amount of compression of a spring 239 can be adjusted by means of a screw 296 threaded into a recess as 281|, shown in Fig. 16.

Mounted in the casing 21| for axial rotation parallel with the spindle 23 is a relatively short shaft 29|, one end of which projects exteriorly of the casing and' has fixed thereto one end of the swingable arm 282 (in the case of the tape tensioning unit 260). Thev outer end of the yarm 262 carries a transverse shaft 2 t2 on which is mountedy the weighted roller 263, which, in turn, is equipped with bearings 233 and 2532. The opposite end of the shaft 29| carries a circular cam 265 which has a flat surface portion 297. When the arm 262 is in the lowered position shown in Fig. l, the raised surface portion 297 engages the roller 286, as shown in Fig. 14, to pivot the lower end. of the lever 2 85 outwardly and thereby swing the upper ends of said lever inwardly.

Inward movement of the upper ends of the lever 285, through springs 289, urges the presl sure plate 284 against the adjacent annular plate 219. This causes the plates 273 and 283 to be squeezed together and frictionally engage each other sufficiently to prevent relative rotation thereof. Since the plates 219 are anchored to the anchoring collar 2 '18, and since the plates 289 are keyed to the spindle 2'13, the spindle is locked against rotation whenever the arm 262 is in the lowered position shown in Fig. l. A similar action occursv in the tape tensioning unit 265 when the arm. 268 is in the lowered position shown in Fig. l. When the raised portion 29? of the cam 29:5 moves away from the roller 286 upon upward swinging movement of the arm 262 (or of the arm 268 in the case of the tensioning unit 266), the: roller 286 moves into contact with the dat surface portion 2% of the cam 295. This movement swings the upper ends of the lever 285 in al direction away from the pressure plate 264 and releases the frictional engagement between the plates 280 and 212, thereby permitting relative rotation of said plates and also permitting rotationv of the spindle 273. The raised position of the arm 268 and roller 259 is shown diagrammatica'lly in Figs. 9 and 10.

Operation Operation of the motor 28 causes simultaneous rotation of the main transverse drive shaft 22 and of the longitudinal drive shaft 13. The shaft 22 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 8 to 11. The crank arms 24 and are oifset approximately 180 degrees, and because of the fact that the slides |41 and |48 move in a vertical direction, whereas the slide 53. moves in a horizontal direction, the maximum speed. rate of one of said mechanisms is attained while the speed of the other of said mechanisms is at or near zero.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, cartons are fed successively to the machine along the plates |42 and |43` by any suitable means. As a carton moves off the plates |42 and |53 onto the plates 3| and 32, being pushed from behind by the succeeding cartons, said carton moves along the plates 3| and- 32 and into contact with the bell crank lever mounted on the side rail |34. The lever Hill pushes the entering carton laterally against the opposite guide bar 99, so that the carton, as it moves completely off of the plates |42 and |43, also moves laterally into abutment with the shoulder |05 on the bracket ili. In Figs. 1 and 2 the carton A is in said latter position, and it will be noted that the succeeding carton B abuts the carton A but is positioned on the plates |42 and 543 which hold the carton B raised and out of contact with the pawl e2 of the pawl unit 38.

At av predetermined interval the cam |25 of the indexing unit 'i6 moves the slide |68 and bracket He laterally inwardly to a position wherein the inner surface ||2 of the bracket is substantially flush with the inner surface of the guide bar |26. This moves the carton A laterally, pivoting the bell-crank il? outwardly, and moving the carton out of engagement with the shoulder |06 of the indexing mechanism. Substantially simultaneously with the lateral movement of the carton, the bar 33 begins moving in a carton advancing direction. The pawl [i2 of the unit 33 thereuponv engages the rear end wall of the carton A and moves said carton forwardly therewith a predetermined distance greater than the length of said carton. As the carton A is so advanced, the carton B is advanced along the plates |42 and |43 and onto plates 3| and 32 by its succeeding cartons until said carton B abuts the shoulder |06 in the same manner that carton A did. The carton A is moved forwardly by the unit 32 to the position of carton C in Fig.. l, and the bar 33 then reverses direction to move the unit 33 back to its Fig. l position. In the latter position the unit 38 is ready to engage the rear end wall. of the carton B which by this time has moved to the position in which carton A is shown in Fig. 1.

More than one carton at a time is prevented from entering the machine, and each complete cycle of reciprocating movement of the bar 33 advances the cartons on the plates 3| and 32 to a position wherein they are engageable by the forwardly adjacent carton advancing pawl unit during the succeeding reciprocating cycle. It is apparent, therefore, that cartons are advanced through the machine intermittently and in equally spaced relationship by the carton advancing pawl units 33 to di, which, in turn, are carried by the reciprocating bar 33. During retractile movemei of the bar 33 the pawls A2 of each of the pawl units 38 to li! pivot downwardly and slide under the cartons therebehind, each pawl pivoting upwardly as it clears the rear end of the carton under which it had moved.

As shown in Fig. l, the cartons entering the improved taping machine have their bottom flaps folded inwardly whereas their top fiaps are in upright position. As a carton approaches the end flap closing mechanism l5, the arm 84 swings toward the carton and folds the nearest top end iiap of said carton downwardly and toward the other end flap. Before the arm 8d moves out of Contact with the downwardly folded end flap, the runner 263 engages the upper surface of said end fiap to hold the same in downwardly folded position. The arm 34 continues its outward swinging movement, and upon moving behind the trailing end flap of the carton, said arm begins a forward swinging movement to fold the trailing end flap downwardly and forwardly. The arm 84 remains in contact with the folded trailing end iiap until the upstanding top side flaps come into contact with the divergent side flap closing arms 202. As the carton is advanced beneath the arms 292, the carton side flaps are folded inwardly with their inner edges meeting "along a longitudinal center line, which line, in

side of said machine, cartons A, C, D and E are shown in the same positions in which they are shown in Fig. 1. It will be noted that an extent of tape 304 is applied to the top of the carton E and is pressed thereagainst by the roller 215, with a portion of said tape being applied to the rear end wall of said carton. A similar extent of tape 305 is applied to the bottom of the carton E and is pressed thereagainst by the roller 246, with a portion of said extent also being applied to the rear end wall of said carton. It will also be noted that the end of the extent of tape 264 is applied to the forward end wall of the carton D and that a portion of said extent is also applied to the top of said carton, being pressed into contact therewith by the rollers 201 and 2|9. Similarly, the end of the extent of tape 210 is applied to the forward end wall of the carton D and a portion of said extent is also applied to the` bottom flaps of said cartons, being pressed thereagainst by the rollers 243 and 244. understood, of course, that the tapes 264 and 210 are applied to the meeting edge portions of the folded top and bottom side cover iiaps of the cartons.

It is also noted from Fig. 8 that in the raised brake releasing position as the tape It is the upper cutter head |19 is moving upwardly As the shaft 22 rotates in a counter-clockwise Vv` direction as viewed in Figs. 8 to 1l, the crank arm 24 is swung upwardly to cause continued upward movement of the upper cutter head |19 and continued lowering movement of the lower cutter head |95. Simultaneously, the crank arm 25 is swung downwardly and outwardly, and through the pitman arm 55, begins to move the slide 53 outwardly. This causes advancing movement of the bar 33 and of the pawl units 39 to 4| mounted thereon, said units engaging the rear end walls of the cartons C, D and E to cause advancing movement thereof.

Fig. 9 shows the crank arm 24 near its upperrmost position with the cutter heads |19 and |95 in their corresponding most retracted positions. The crank arm 25 is shown in Fig. 9 near its lowermost position, and slide 53 and bar 33 are shown in their corresponding positions which are approximately midway of their ranges of rtravel. The pawl units 36, 39 and 40 have ad- -vanced the cartons A, C and D to the positions shown, whereas the pawl unit 4| has moved the carton E to a discharge conveyor (not shown).

It will be noted that in Fig. 9 the extents of tape 264 and 210 have been applied to substantially the full length of the top and bottom of the carton D, the tape being applied as a result of the forward movement of said carton. During the forward movement of carton D it pulled on the extents 264 and 210, and the taut condition resulting lifted the weighted rollers 263 and 269 to swing the arms 262 and 268 upwardly, thereby releasing the braking action of the tensioning units V260 and 266. With the supply rolls 26| and 261 free to rotate, continued pulling on the extents 264 and 210 results in tape being un- Wound from the supply rolls. In Fig. 9 the Weighted roller 269 and its arm 268 are shown is being drawn from the roll 261.

Continued rotation of the shaft 22 swings the crank ,arm 24 forwardly and downwardly to thereby cause downward movement of the upper cutter head |19 and corresponding upward movement of the lower cutter head |95. Simultaneously, the crank arm 25 is swung upwardly and outwardly to cause continued outward movement of the slide 53 and advancing movement of the bar 33 and pawl units 39 to 40. By the time the crank arms 24 and 25 reach the substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 10 the cartons C and D will have been advanced to the position shown in the latter figure, wherein the spacing between said cartons is in vertical alignment with the upper and lower cutter heads |19 and |95. The extents of tape 264 and 210 extend between cartonsC and D, and said extents respectively have a portion applied to the top and bottom of the carton C as well as to the top and bottom of carton D. In Fig. 10 the bar 33 and the pawl units 36 to 40 are shown in their most advanced positions, whereas the cutter heads |19 and |95, being in an intermediate position, are moving toward the tapes 264 and 210, the cutting blades of said heads having severed said tapes substantially midway between the cartons C and D.

Continued rotation of the shaft 22 swings the crank arm 24 downwardly and outwardly to cause continued downward movement of the cutter head |19 and upward movement of the cutter head |95. As the cutter heads move toward each other the pressure rollers carried thereby deflect the severed ends of the tape toward the adjacent carton end walls and apply said severed ends to said end walls with a pressure rolling contact. The arms |6| and |82 of the cutter heads are swung inwardly against the plungers and |86 as the rollers |83 and |84 move between the cartons. 1n Fig. 11 the crank arm 24 is in approximately its lowermost position and the cutter heads |19 and |95 are in their most projected positions, said cutter heads having applied the severed tape ends to the carton end walls, as shown.

As the crank arm 25 swings upwardly and forwardly from its position in Fig. 10 toward its uppermost position shown in Fig. 11, it pulls the slide 53 forwardly and thereby simultaneously retracts the bar 33 and pawl units 38 to 4|. `The pawls of the pawl units pivot downwardly during this retractile movement and slide under the cartons as shown in Fig. 11. During the rel tractile movement of the units 39 to 4| the cartons are at rest on the plates 3| and 32.

When the cartons come to rest in the positions of Figs. 10 and 11, the momentum of the rotating supply rolls 26| and 261' tends to keep said rolls rotating even though no tape is being pulled therefrom by the advancing cartons. This results in a slackening in the extents of tape 264 and 210, and when slackened, the tapes are unable to support the weight of the rollers 263 and 269. As a result, the arms 262 and 289 swing downwardly and set the braking action of the tensioning units 260 and 296 to immediately ,stop rotation of the supply rolls 26| and 261 respectively. This prevents overrunning of the tape. In Figs. 9 andll the arm 268 is shown in down swung position. Y

As the shaft lz2 continues to rotate, thecrank arm 24 swings outwardly and upwardly toward its position in Fig. 8, to cause upward movement Ygemaal of the cutter head H9 and simultaneous downward movement of the cutter head |95. Simultaneously, the crank arm 25 swings forwardly and downwardly to continue the forward movement of the slide 53 and the corresponding retractile movement of the bar 33 and pawl units 38 to lll. As the parts reach the positions shown in Fig. 8, the cycle is completed, and the pawl units are again ready to advance the cartons. AS the new cycle begins, however, the pawl unit 39 engages the rear end of the carton A, and the pawl unit 40 engages the rear end of the carton C, while at the same time the pawl unit lll engages the rear end wall of the completely taped carton D which is now ready for discharge. It will also be noted that, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the carton B has moved forwardly into contact with the shoulder lS during the cycle just described.

Various changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. In a taping machine: an elongated fixed horizontal Support adapted to have a plurality of spaced cartons slidably positioned thereon; a plurality of spaced carton advancing pawls longitudinally reciprocatably mounted adjacent said support in positions to advancingly engage said cartons; means for applying a longitudinal extent of tape to the tops of said cartons as they are moved along said support; a cutter head vertically reciprocatably mounted above said support, said cutter head being movable downwardly to sever thertape extending between the tops of a pair of adjacent cartons on said support and to apply the severed ends thereof to the adjacent end walls of said cartons; a source of power; mechanism drivingly connecting said source of power to said reciprocating carton advancing pawls to cause alternate advancing and retracting movement of said pawls; and mechanism drivingly connecting said source of power to said vertically reciprocating cutter head in a manner tormove saidcutter head downwardly into tape severing and applying position between a pair of adjacent cartons during retractile movement of said carton advancing pawls.

2. In a taping machine: an elongated xed horizontal support having an opening therein, said support being adapted to have a plurality of spaced cartons slidably positioned thereon; a plurality of spaced carton advancing pawls 1ongitudinally reciprocatably mounted adjacent said support in positions to advancingly engage said cartons; means for applying tape to the bottoms of said cartons as they are moved along said support; a cutter head vertically reciprocatably mounted below said support, said cutter head being movable upwardly through said support opening to sever the tape extending between the bottoms of a pair of adjacent cartons and to apply the severed ends thereof to the adjacent end walls of said cartons; a source of power; mechanism drivingly connecting said sourceof power to said reciprocating carton advancing pawlsto cause alternate advancing and retracting `movement of said pawls; and mechanism drivingly connecting said source of power to said vertically reciprocating cutter head in a manner to move said cutter head upwardly into 'tapeV severing and applying position 'between a pair of 20 adjacent cartons during retractile movement of said carton advancing pawls.

3. In a taping machine: an elongated fixed horizontal support having an openingtherein, said support being adapted to have av plurality of spaced cartons slidably positioned thereon; a

plurality of spaced carton advancingY pawls longitudinally reciprocatably mounted adjacent said support in positions to advancingly engage longitudinally spaced cartons on said support; means for applying tape to the tops and bottoms of cartons moved along said support; a cutter head vertically reciprocatably mounted below said support, said cutter head being movable upwardly through said support opening to sever the tape extending between the bottoms of a pair of adjacent cartons on said support and apply the severed ends thereof to the adjacent end walls of said cartons; a cutter head vertically reciprocatably mounted above said support, said cutter head being movable downwardly to sever the tape extending between the tops oi a pair of adjacent cartons on said support and apply the severed ends thereof to the adjacent end walls of said cartons; a source of power; mechanism drivingly connecting said source of power to said reciprocating carton advancing pawls to cause alternate advancing and retracting movement of said pawls; and mechanism drivingly connecting said source of power to said vertically reciprocating cutter heads in a manner to move said heads simultaneously intov tape severing and applying position between a pair of adjacent cartons during retractile movementof saidcarton advancing pawls.

e. In a taping machine adapted to have a plurality of cartons advanced therethrough: a pair of frame members positioned on opposite sides of said machine; a slide member vertically reciprocatably mounted in each of said frame members; means for causing simultaneous identical vertical reciprocating movement of. said slide members within predetermined limits; a sealing head supporting member extending between said slide members and positioned adjacent the path of movement of cartons throughsaid machine; a sealing head carried by said supporting member; a pinion rotatably mounted oneach end of said supporting member; a verticalrack fixed to each of said slide members and in mesh with the adjacent pinion; andmanually operated mechanism connected to said pinions, .for selectively causing simultaneous identicalrotation of said pinions to move said pinions and the supporting member vertically relative to said slide members, whereby the range of vertical travel of said sealing head can be selectively shifted vertically to adapt said sealing head for use with cartons of various heights.

5. In a taping machine; a pair of framermembers positioned on` opposite` sides o f saidmachine, an upperv and a lower slide member vertically reciprocatably mounted in each of said frame members; apinion rotatablymounted'lin each of said frame members; each of saidslide members being provided with al rack, meshing with the adjacent pinion in a manner to cause simultaneous, oppositek vertical yreciprc'lcating movement of the slide members connected 'to each of said pinions; an `uppe'r'sealing head supporting member connected to andV extending Vbetween the upperslidemembers; an upper "sealing head carried by said supporting member; 'alower sealing Vhead supporting` member conn'ectingto and extending between said lower slide members;

a lower sealing head carried by said lower supporting member; and means connected to at least one of said slide members for causing vertical reciprocating movement thereof, whereby said upper and lower sealing heads are recproeated in opposite vertical directions toward and away from each other simultaneously and at the same speed.

ADOLPI-I A. WAGNER.

ARNOLD J. WERNER.

JOHN TUMIPAK.

Name Date Manning Feb. 23, 1926 Number 22 Name Date Brust Mar. 18, 1930 Anderson Aug. 20, 1935 Stagmeier Sept. 1, 1936 Dyment July 20, 1937 Kimball et al. Aug. 1, 1944 Bailey May 7, 1946 Grupe Dec. 14, 1948 Long June 20, 1950 Enkur et al. Dec. 5, 1950 Sieg Feb. 6, 1951 Bardsley et al Feb. 13, 1951 Maussnest Apr. 3, 1951 Ames Dec. 18, 1951 

